From lake Titicaca to Arequipa

Runny tummies are now over and we've been the last couple of days in Puno, which is on the bay of lake Titicaca. Not a very beautiful town, reminds me a bit of India with beeping rikshaws and narrow streets. On Tuesday we were travelling almost the whole day from Cuzco to Puno. It was a guided bus trip and we stopped at several places on the way: inca site, old colonial church, a museum, for lunch etc. We met some Norwegians on the bus. In Cuzco I also heard some Swedes, but we've heard or met no Finns so far! Here in Puno our hotel is okay. This is our fourth hotel during the trip and still 2 to go. Here also the bathroom is freezing cold, so it doesn't inspire you to take several showers.. Somehow they have not invented insulated glazed windows..

Yesterday we had a whole day "cruise" on the lake Titicaca. We were shown how some locals still live on manmade-built floating islands and their straw houses. And of course they were then trying to sell us all sorts of souvenirs made by straw. They were very talented and nice, but I don't think it would suit our or your houses. Me and K started wondering though, do those people actually live on those islands, or is it one big scam to attract tourists ;) We then headed 2 hours further to another, much larger natural island, where we had lunch. There were some beggars and a lot of children trying to sell stuff to tourists. I personally do not want to buy stuff from children. During lunch we talked to some of the other travellers, French and American. One of the Americans had been travelling for the past 3 months and is planning to travel altogether for 2 years from South America to perhaps Africa and Middle East! The French were also touring South America for several months. We also met some Italians in a restaurant in the evening. They had been touring South America since last October! I don't even recall what I was doing last October! We talked with Kaarle yesterday, would we be able to travel like that for months. We both agreed that we would have to something meaningful during the trip. Kaarle would perhaps do writing or some work. I would preferably to volunteer work, "giving something back" for a while, and then continue touring. And I think I would, anyhow, start missing my family too much, to be so long away! One of Italians said he didn't know if he still has a job when he returns. That's certainly a risk, I would not be willing to take.

We are at the moment at our hotel in Puno. Soon our guide will come and fetch us and we will be going to a near town Juliaca, from where we will catch a plane to Arequipa, Peru's second largest city. It is according to Lonely Planet a charming city. Must be better than Puno!

I'm a bit lazy to start playing with photos this time. Will try to add some later, if we still have internet connection. How are you doing?

Lots of love, XXX